Thief Pushed in Air Conditioner, Entered South Orange Home

A Hamilton Rd. resident reported that a thief pushed a first floor window air conditioner into the house on July 12, and entered through the same window. The thief ransacked the house, stealing a 42-inch television, jewelry and electronics.

Flat-screen televisions are a an attractive items to thieves, according to South Orange police. "Secure your TV’s with a child-proof cable or other safety harness (usually accompanying the appliance when you purchased it). Typically these cables are provided to prevent children from pulling these appliances off of consoles or wall brackets; but they will also deter criminals from easily removing them from your home."

The SOPD released additional tips for homeowners, compiled and distributed by Sgt. Al DiEsso, Sgt. Wiggins and J Coordinator of the .

1.    Check around the outside of your home/apartment to determine whether individuals can gain access to windows and doors. Also, inspect your basement windows and secure them if they are loose, unmaintained, or can be compromised.

2.    You should remove chairs, garbage cans, tables, and the like that can be used by criminals to reach windows and other access points to your residence.

3.    If suspicious individuals ring your doorbell or are observed in apartment hallways, and contact is made, pay attention to the physical description of the individual(s) and what they say. If the explanation for such is suspicious, call the police at 973- 763-3000, ext. 2. If possible, do so without them knowing.

4.    Alarms: TURN YOUR ALARMS ON, activate them always. Note: There is also the option to have an alarm company install a system in apartment units, if you do not already have one.

5.    Make sure the locks on your windows and doors are secure. If you reside in an apartment, this is especially important for fire-escapes and balconies.

The Community Relations Bureau of SOPD offers free inspections of homes to address some areas that might be improved to “target harden” your house against crime.

Contact: Sgt. Al DiEsso Community Relations Bureau South Orange Police Department (973) 763.3000, ext. 7802 adiesso@southorange.org